7/13/2015

New Age Solo Instrumental Review: Kori Linae Carothers-Fire In The Rainstorm

Kori Linae Carothers is an award winning artist and has
worked with the legendary greats at the Windham Hill recording label. A
composer since the age of fourteen, Kori has mastered her disability of being
deaf in one ear and turned a weakness into strength. She is an acclaimed
keyboard player and pianist with four albums and hopefully more to come. Her
album Fire in the Rainstorm is a
testament to the joy of everyday. From the hidden beauty in the little things
that surrounds us to the burn of a riotous sunrise to the cool splendor of the
stars that grace the night skies the music sweeps you away on a journey of
audible bliss.

The album begins with “The Day” and the tender shoots of
life that reach their leafy arms to the sky in search of the bountiful light of
the sun. Each delicate keyboard stroke paints a visual picture of the newness
of life and the first breath of morning. Every day is a wonder with much to
behold if only we open our eyes to the possibilities.

“The Kindly Beast” reminds me of the story of Beauty and
the Beast. The thought provoking piano composition creates a story in my mind
of a bookish young woman transported to a beast’s castle only to find the heart
of a lamb resides inside the façade of a lion. Tender is the heart that loves
and perseveres when life becomes difficult. This also brought to mind the
battles the artist faced as a young girl and the extreme inner strength she
used to overcome what could have taken her dream of music away. Instead, like
any great thing of value, it comes with work and dedication…but most of all,
love.

“Winter’s End” is another piece that brought images of
nature and romance. The swirling piano strokes evoke a theater of ice and snow,
the crystals graceful and magnificent as they fall. Young lovers cascade across
icy ponds, hearts full of joy but a little sadness as they know the winter is
coming to an end. As with the tale spun with music, their love will go on with
fond memories of winter’s kiss and the chill of snow as it drifts down for
perhaps the last time.

Kori Linae Carothers is a talented composer and
independent artist. She has worked with many greats in the industry, including
the legendary Will Ackerman from the Windham Hill label. Kori is the epitome of
showing what hard work and dedication can bring. Fire in the Rainstorm is a fluid album filled with natural beauty
and wonderment by an artist I will be watching for again. If you want a respite
from the day with some gorgeous piano composition, I highly recommend it.

5/5
Stars

Key Tracks: The Day, The Kindly Beast, Winter’s
End

Tracks:01. A Day Like No Other 04:0902. NuNu's Sunrise 02:4903. Meadow 03:5304. Tidal Rift 04:2005. Fire in the Rainstorm 02:5806. Time Passages 04:1007. The Day 04:2208. Winters End 02:3109. Liberty 04:0510. The Kindly Beast 03:1811. Whispers of the Heart 03:1312. When the Trees Fell 03:52